I spent yesterday reflecting on my year as a 23 year old. It's been a year of highs and lows, but one thing has remained constant, and that's God. I've experienced Him in so many different ways this past year, but particularly in the area of provision.
It led me to read again Matt 6:25-34. This is the well known passage from Jesus' sermon on the mount, where He tells us not to worry about our own needs in life, but to put the Kingdom first. For many, they interpret this to say that we don't need to work, because God will supply, for others it becomes another burden as they worry about not worrying. Here is the key to this passage;
'Seek first the Kingdom of God', or as the Message translation puts it, 'Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God provisions.' Our main priority in life should be to love God and love each other, in order that God's Kingdom would advance, but we get so caught up in our own lives, that we don't have the time and energy for anyone else!
How much of your prayer time is spent praying about yourself?
What happens when we put the Kingdom first in our lives? Well, Jesus says our needs will be met. I've experienced this recently. Money has been a pressing concern over this year as I have no regular income, and my outgoings well outweigh anything that's coming in. So I've prayed (and worried) about it for some time and not much has really changed. So in the last month or so, I've been travelling around, visiting and supporting friends in different parts of the World. I've been so busy, I haven't had time to pray (or worry) about money, yet it's been the time where I've received the most.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that God deals with us on a commission basis or that we shouldn't ask God for things, but what it does say to me is that if we stop worrying about ourselves and live a life of wild abandonment for others in obedience to Him, which doesn't always make sense, God will provide our needs, whatever they may be.
As we put the Kingdom first, our problems seem very small in comparison to an almighty God. As we care for the poor, the abused, the lonely, the hurting, the dieing, it puts our problems into perspective.
In a society that tells us we need more, we need to stop and ask why!
Jesus said in Matt 10:39, that those who let go of their life will gain it, but those who try to keep it will lose it. As we let go of ourselves and our worries and embrace the goodness of God and live in obedience to him, we will find this life to the full, as we have been promised. It may not be a life that Hollywood sells, but it's the life I want. A life that brings freedom and liberty. A life with no constraints, totally connected between mind, body and soul. A life led by the spirit, not by the world. A life of adventure and mystery. A life of learning and discovery. A life of pain, but also of healing.
Are you putting the Kingdom first today? If not, why not? What is distracting you? What are you worried about? Give it to God.
Ask Him how he wants to further the Kingdom through you today and let Him worry about the details!
2 comments:
God Reality - I need a regular hit of that as can be a cronic worrier. Great words... xc
hey dan, thanks - am learning that the Kingdom is the priority. how often do we try to build the church when Jesus said he'd do it. It's not our job. And with CU, it's seek first evangelism over love almost! Preach the gospel of the Kingdom not the gospel of salvation. we're soldiers, not the rescued sitting safely on the cliff top. our focus should not even be 'a relationship with God' which is what most seem to preach. seek first the Kingdom and all these things - the church, effective evang, reconciliation with God - will be added to you.
Beth A
p.s. not getting at u, just appreciate a forum to express self!
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